2011-08-19 - The Parable of the Wedding
Feast

Part 2 ~ Based on a Sermon Originally Preached 2006-03-29

Prophetic Meaning

From a prophetic vantage point, we can see that Jesus was not just speaking
of the Jewish leaders but about all of God's chosen people. Jews as a whole
rejected Jesus so the call goes out to the Gentiles. Some Jews just keep
at doing their regular religious business. The Jews killed or ignored the
prophets up to John the Baptist who delivered the first invitation. It is
given a second time by Jesus and the disciples. It is re-given to the Jews
even after Jesus' death by his disciples, many of whom were martyred, for
several years after Pentecost before the invitation is given to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said,
It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you:
but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting
life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

The Jews were then scattered as Titus' army destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.
The wedding garment then becomes a symbol of God's saving grace  the
righteousness of Jesus. In Revelation 19:11-14, we see the armies are all
dressed in fine white linen - the wedding garments Jesus prepared for his
bride the church. That is why we must "put on the Lord
Jesus" (Romans 13:14) or "put on the new man"
(Colossians 3:10).

But, some of us Gentiles who believe Jesus came and died for us and accept
the invitation still try to come in our own clothes. Cults who believe Jesus'
invitation but do not think the robes Jesus gives are good enough for God's
hall so they have the nicest clothes they can buy. However, Isaiah 64:6 calls
our finest robes of self-righteousness nothing more than filthy rags. People
like this fit the description Paul gave of the Israelites in Roman 10

Romans 10:2-4

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but
not according to knowledge.

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going
about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves
unto the righteousness of God.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to
every one that believeth.

Personal Meaning

If this is a story that spans time from the Old Testament days until his
triumphant return then the story has not ended. We must be in that story
somewhere. You and I can each find a personal meaning for ourselves. We are
each characters in this parable.

The Called

I am the called and so are you. You and I are invited to a feast in Jesus.
He calls himself both bread and water and he commands us to eat of him. We
are all invited to taste a personal relationship with him. In verses nine
and ten, we know no matter who we are or what we have done, the invitation
is given to us all - the good and the bad.

We must each respond to that invitation in one of four ways. We can respond
with apathy or indifference as those in verse five did. We can respond in
anger, hostility, and rebellion as those in verse six did. Or, we can make
an agreeable but self-righteous response as the man in eleven and twelve
did saying, "I want to come on my own terms. I won't totally commit to God's
process". Those who respond in this way may be willing to join a church but
not surrender their life. They could also just be willing to give up some
parts of life but not the whole of it. Notice here the servants let this
one person in but God kicked him out. Sometimes we'll have people like this
in our midst but we do not kick them out God will come judgment day. Lastly,
we can respond with acceptance and willingness like those in verse ten did.
They completely committed to Christ. Full surrender means coming on his terms.

The Messengers

I should be a messenger. We all should be messengers. The invitation is extended
to all of us  the good and the bad. God wants his banquet hall full.
No one servant can give the invitation to the entire world but if each person
tells those in their little world then the world will know that they have
been invited. We must invite them to come and fill the halls of heaven.

The Chosen

The parable ends with a simple statement in verse 14. "Many
are called but few are chosen." I am among the chosen. I know I am.
We must all ask that question of ourselves. Am I chosen? Do you want to be
chosen? To be chosen you must do three things. First, you must respond to
the invitation. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says,
"I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hears my voice
and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him." Second, you
have to wear the right clothes. Do not wear your dirty work clothes; come
in the fine apparel of Grace, Love, and Mercy handcrafted by Jesus. Colossians
3 tells us what these clothes will look like.

Colossians 3:10-14 NKJV

and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who created him,

where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor
uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and
in all. (Our clothes do not show our race, sex, national origin, or political
party - only Jesus.)

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put
on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (If we wear
our clothes, everyone can see them. They will see mercy, kindness, and
humility.)

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if
anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you
also must do.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond
of perfection. (The greatest garment we wear is love. We must love everyone
always. When we don't we cast aside the wedding garments Christ bought with
his blood.)

Lastly, you must enjoy the wedding. This should be easy, just be happy and
satisfied. Enjoy being in the King's presence and enjoy his gifts.